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What’s Involved With A Frontside 720 Melon
ARTICLE BY: Steve Gooley
The lofty frontside 720 is a great looking trick when performed just right. This trick requires confidence, fluidity and heaps of style to really make it go off with a bang.
One of the most crucial aspects of this jump is to get the line to the jump correct. If you are regular in stance the jump needs to be approached from the left side (with reference to looking at the jump from up the hill). Goofy riders should take the run-in from the right side.
As you travel down to the kicker you need to twist your body in the opposite direction to that which you are going to rotate in the air once you’ve taken off. Be very fluid with this move, don’t overdo it or the take off could be fairly hairy, never mind the landing! As you start to move over the jump move your centre of gravity onto your heels slightly.
As you take off from the lip of the jump you should then untwist your body in a strong, deliberate and fluid way to set the rotation in motion. Ensure that you don’t unwind too late since this aerial needs a fair bit of spin to work.
Grab a hold of your board’s edge between your heels with your leading arm. Do this as early as possible to ensure the rotation starts quickly and is constant. The grab will improve the style factor massively as you will be less likely to open up and wriggle, wind down the windows or any other abomination. The melon grab is great because its fairly easy and also looks great with frontside spins.
With practice you will be able to get your head around this maneuver better. When you have gone through around 540 degrees the landing should become clearer. Fix your stare on the touch down spot and when just about to hit the snow release your grip on the board and absorb the impact. Opening up the arms can help stabilize this part and stop the rotation.
The landing is typically not that easy to begin with. A whole number of attempts are usually required before getting this trick nailed. Overspinning is common. Eventually when this trick becomes a solid part of your repertoire you can set your sights on the beast that is the frontside 900. Best of luck, and remember as usual that you should work up to this jump slowly but surely, having in the past dialed 360’s, 540’s and switch riding first!
One of the most crucial aspects of this jump is to get the line to the jump correct. If you are regular in stance the jump needs to be approached from the left side (with reference to looking at the jump from up the hill). Goofy riders should take the run-in from the right side.
As you travel down to the kicker you need to twist your body in the opposite direction to that which you are going to rotate in the air once you’ve taken off. Be very fluid with this move, don’t overdo it or the take off could be fairly hairy, never mind the landing! As you start to move over the jump move your centre of gravity onto your heels slightly.
As you take off from the lip of the jump you should then untwist your body in a strong, deliberate and fluid way to set the rotation in motion. Ensure that you don’t unwind too late since this aerial needs a fair bit of spin to work.
Grab a hold of your board’s edge between your heels with your leading arm. Do this as early as possible to ensure the rotation starts quickly and is constant. The grab will improve the style factor massively as you will be less likely to open up and wriggle, wind down the windows or any other abomination. The melon grab is great because its fairly easy and also looks great with frontside spins.
With practice you will be able to get your head around this maneuver better. When you have gone through around 540 degrees the landing should become clearer. Fix your stare on the touch down spot and when just about to hit the snow release your grip on the board and absorb the impact. Opening up the arms can help stabilize this part and stop the rotation.
The landing is typically not that easy to begin with. A whole number of attempts are usually required before getting this trick nailed. Overspinning is common. Eventually when this trick becomes a solid part of your repertoire you can set your sights on the beast that is the frontside 900. Best of luck, and remember as usual that you should work up to this jump slowly but surely, having in the past dialed 360’s, 540’s and switch riding first!
Frontside 720 Melon Resources
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